NYPD lieutenant remains on the job after killing man during Bronx traffic stop
For the last six years, Feliz's family has been calling for action to be taken and for the officers involved in the traffic stop to be fired.
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An NYPD lieutenant who shot and killed an unarmed father during a traffic stop will remain on the job.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the decision Thursday in a nine-page letter, stating that the officer was justified in using his service weapon.
Allan Feliz, a father from Washington Heights, was pulled over for a seat belt violation in October 2019. Officers found active warrants on the identification that Feliz provided.
Lt. Jonathan Rivera was one of three officers involved in the traffic stop. Rivera shot Feliz one time in the chest after he said he attempted to drive away and believed his partner's life was in danger of being crushed by the vehicle.
In 2024, NYPD Judge Rosemarie Maldonado ruled Rivera used excessive force and recommended he be fired.
"I agree with the Attorney General’s analysis and find that Respondent’s shooting of Mr. Feliz was justified," Tisch wrote in the letter.
For the last six years, Feliz's family has been calling for action to be taken and for the officers involved in the traffic stop to be fired. They responded to the decision, saying it lacks transparency and accountability in the NYPD.
"There was wrong doing done, that Allan should still be here with us, this lieutenant should no longer be a cop, he should no longer wield a gun let alone be able to wield this gun into his own dispensary hearing where he is on the stand with the gun on his hip which is insulting, and just shows as long as you have a badge on your chest you can get away with murder, this is the narrative that police commissioner Tisch is putting out there," said Samy Feliz, the brother of the victim.
Feliz says they are looking into whether or not further legal action can be taken.
